Indoor security cameras have a host of uses around a home or business. They can watch for intruders, keep an eye on pets, serve as baby monitors, help guide guests, and generally be on the lookout for anything unusual. If you’re interested in an indoor cam that can do it all, these are the top smart options from the best brands on the market.
Arlo
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (Gen 2)
Best indoor camera overall
Pros
- Privacy shutter
- 2K footage capture
- Small footprint
The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera has been refreshed, offering a smaller footprint and 2K video resolution. Much else remains the same – though you’ll benefit from a lower price tag, with the camera starting at $40 for the HD version and $80 for the 2K version. Standard features across both include two-way audio, a built-in privacy shutter, and the ability to customize its performance using your smartphone.
The privacy shutter is a big selling point, as it’s a feature that’s often missing on indoor cameras. In fact, it’s not even found on the premium Ring Stick Up Cam Pro (which costs more than twice as much). Its wired connection might be more cumbersome than a wireless model, but it offers continuous power for constant coverage.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (Gen 2)
Best indoor camera overall
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Wyze Cam v3
Best budget indoor camera
Pros
- Very affordable
- Works both indoors and outdoors
- More detail with color night vision
- Tons of security controls
This indoor/outdoor cam is ready for just about anything, including outdoor security. The 1080p cam is equipped with an upgraded Starlight Sensor that has full-color night vision and a new lens that can capture even more light in dark areas. There are both motion and sound sensors for alerts, and users can carefully adjust motion zones and detection levels to avoid false alarms in a specific environment.
Like many of our picks, the Wyze Cam v3 works with both Alexa and Google Assistant and is also certified for IFTTT if you would like to create more advanced routines using the cam and its alerts. You’ll need a microSD card for local storage, but there is free 14-day rolling cloud storage for temporarily saving videos when you’re away — one of the better cloud storage packages currently available for security cams.
Wyze Cam v3
Best budget indoor camera
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro
Best premium indoor camera
Pros
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Captures 1080p HDR footage
- Easy installation
Cons
- Large size
- No privacy shutter
The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is a powerful device built for indoor and outdoor use. If you’re using it inside, installation is as simple as charging its battery and placing it on your countertop. It also comes with a mounting plate if you prefer to place it on your wall. Images are impressive thanks to its 1080p HDR footage capture, and it works well in lowlight situations thanks to color night vision. And like most Ring products, it offers real-time notifications, the option to set up privacy zones, and the ability to easily sync with the rest of your Ring devices.
One minor caveat to keep in mind with the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is its size. Unlike the tiny Wyze Cam v3 or Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, the Stick Up Cam Pro is on the larger side. Standing just over six inches tall and just under three inches wide, it takes up a fair bit of space. It also doesn’t feature a built-in privacy shutter, though you can easily turn off motion detection by enabling Home mode. Aside from those quirks, the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is a premium camera that’ll work well anywhere in your house.
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro
Best premium indoor camera
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Nest Cam indoor/outdoor (battery)
Most versatile indoor camera
Pros
- Works both indoors and out
- Stores three hours of video history for free
- Great contrast with HDR video
- Magnetic plate has a strong connection
Cons
- Bulky design
- Details are a bit soft
In this latest camera from Google, Nest’s simple design hides some cutting-edge technology — a wireless model that you can set up just about anywhere. The 1080p video includes HDR compatibility and night vision. There’s two-way audio for communication, motion detection, and some seriously smart machine learning at work. The cam can detect people, animals, and vehicles, and if you spring for the Nest Aware package, it can even learn familiar faces so you can customize all your alerts. Google Assistant compatibility is a given, but don’t expect Nest cams to work with Alexa.
The Nest Cam (battery) comes with the ability to save up to three hours of alert-based history for free or more with an Aware subscription. The downside to all the advanced Google tech is that this Nest Cam is expensive. You get some of the best features available, but you do have to pay as much as you would for a suite of other security cams.
Nest Cam indoor/outdoor (battery)
Most versatile indoor camera
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt
Best indoor camera for 360-degree video
Pros
- Affordable cost
- Simple setup
- Crisp-sounding audio
Cons
- Soft -looking video footage
- Cheap construction
The Blink Mini on its own is a solid device, though it’s not quite as capable as other cameras on this list. But when paired with the Pan-Tilt Mount, it becomes an impressive smart home product and an easy recommendation. With the ability to record 1080p footage, adjustable motion zones, smart alerts, and the option to remotely swivel it to cover all corners of your home, few indoor cameras offer this sort of versatility. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount only becomes more impressive after seeing its affordable price tag. It doesn’t have a built-in privacy shutter, but that’s a minor inconvenience for an otherwise well-rounded device.
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt
Best indoor camera for 360-degree video
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